This photo taken by passenger Marc Stanley shows the disarray aboard American Airlines Flight 280 after the Boeing 777-200 jet was buffeted by severe turbulence.

UPDATE, 1:45 p.m.: American Airlines has issued this update on the carrier’s flight from Seoul, South Korea, to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, hit by turbulence as it was flying east of Japan:

“Medical personnel have been able to evaluate all passengers and crew members asking for medical attention. Four passengers and one crew member have been transported to local hospitals for further observation and treatment. None of the injuries are life-threatening.

“American Airlines Flight 280 will not continue on to DFW today. Passengers have been transported to hotels and will continue their travel to DFW tomorrow. Our team in Tokyo will continue to provide all necessary support to take care of our passengers and crew.”

The photos come from Dallas attorney Marc Stanley, who was on the flight.

ORIGINAL ITEM: Reports out of Japan say that a number of people were injured when turbulence struck American Airlines’ daily flight from Seoul, South Korea, to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

AA spokeswoman Andrea Huguely confirmed the diversion, but did not comment on injuries. She sent us this statement:

“American Airlines Flight 280, a Boeing 777-200 from Seoul (ICN) to Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) has diverted to Tokyo (NRT) because of turbulence during the flight. There are 240 passengers and a crew of 15.

“American’s primary concern at this time is for our passengers and crew on board the airplane and our team in Narita is providing assistance. We will provide additional information as it becomes available.”

Various U.S. news organizations cited NHK in Japan as saying 10 passengers and four crew members were injured. The Weather Channel said that the area was being rocked by a severe storm.

Marc Stanley

These overhead bins were splashed with liquid when AA280 flew into turbulence on its trip from South Korea to D/FW Airport.

TSA relocated its first Pre-Check application center at D/FW to this location north of American Airlines' Terminal D ticket counters in July.

The Transportation Security Administration has opened a second Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport center where people can apply for the TSA’s Pre-Check program.

The new site is in the middle of the airport’s Terminal C. It apparently is inside the TSA security checkpoints, because the TSA announcement said it “will be exclusively for ticketed and connecting passengers.”

The agency opened its first Pre-Check application center inside security in Terminal D in April. However, it closed that center in July and opened a new one outside security near that terminal’s Gate D.

The benefit of Pre-Check is that a traveler hypothetically can move faster through the checkpoints. At the Pre-Check screening lanes, travelers don’t have to remove their belts, shoes, light outerwear or laptops. They still are limited to the 100-milliliter (3.4-ounce) bottles of liquids contained in clear quart-sized baggies, but the baggies don’t have to be taken out of the travelers’ carry-ons.

Those seeking Pre-Check clearance must apply at the centers with approprirate identification and pay an $85 fee. If approved, they’ll have that status for five years. Go to TSA.gov for more information. Walk-ins are allowed, but appointments are recommended.

“The application process increases the availability of TSA Pre-Check benefits to a broader population of travelers nationwide,” said TSA Administrator John S. Pistole. “TSA Pre-Check is enabling us to move away from a one-size-fits-all approach to transportation security, as we look for more opportunities to provide the most effective security in the most efficient way.”

A troupe from Lee's White Leopard Kung Fu School today performed the lion dance for good luck at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport's Terminal A to kick off the summer travel season. Airlines will offer more flights from the airport to Asia starting this summer. (Sheryl Jean/The Dallas Morning News)

The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport forecast a hot summer travel season this year, as it ramps up international travel and shows off new airport features.

Airport officials expect more than 17 million passengers June through August, up 2.4 percent from a year ago.

“This summer season promises to be one of the strongest ever for the D/FW Airport,” Jim Crites, executive vice president of operations for the airport, said today at a news conference.

The airport kicked-off the summer travel season, which starts this weekend with Memorial Day, with a traditional Chinese lion dance for good luck. The dance, performed by a dance and music troupe from Lee’s White Leopard Kung Fu School, marks expanded Asia flights from the airport this year.

Air travel is expected to increase this summer everywhere amid an improving economy — despite high airfares.

Last week, the industry trade group Airlines for America forecast 210 million people will fly on U.S. airlines this summer — the highest level in six years and up 1.5 percent from last summer.

TSA employee Denise Cook is waiting to ask you some questions, take your fingerprints and accept $85 from you so you can apply for the Pre Check program.

The Transportation Security Administration on Friday opened up its enrollment center for travelers who want to apply for the Pre Check program.

If accepted, a travelers gets to go through an expedited-screening line, which means they stay a lot more dressed than those not going through expedited screening.

You get to keep your shoes, belt and light jacket on. You don’t have to take your laptop or liquids baggie out of your carryon.

TSA Administrator John Pistole likened it to being in the 10-items line at the supermarket. Your line might be as long as the non-Pre Check line, but you’ll get through a lot faster than the person who was buying a month’s worth of groceries. That’s mixing up the analogies pretty good.

Here’s some factoids:

How to enroll in the TSA Pre Check program

The enrollment center is inside Terminal D at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, between gates D22 and D23 just past the TSA security checkpoint.

– Visitors must have either a boarding pass, have an appointment or already be inside security (like a passenger who is connecting through the airport).

– Those with an appointment must bring a printed confirmation page to the American Airlines ticket counter at D30 and a driver’s license to get a gate pass.

– At the center, be prepared to pay a fee, show approved government identification and have your fingerprints taken.

– Applicants must U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.

– The Pre Check program costs $85 for five years.

– Among the people not eligible are some people with criminal records, issues with immigration or on terrorist watch lists.

– The TSA urges those interested in enrolling to begin by visiting the www.tsa.gov website.

Terry Maxon/Dallas Morning News

TSA Administrator John Pistole explains the Pre Check program during a press conference at D/FW Airport.

We’ve got an ice storm coming, probably, and American Airlines is getting ready. It issued this statement Thursday morning.

Because of the anticipated winter weather American Airlines and American Eagle have proactively canceled nearly 500 flights in and out of the DFW Airport through 11 a.m. central time Friday, Dec. 6.

It implemented a travel policy that lets passengers flying to, from or through four airports Wednesday through Saturday to change their travel plans: Dallas/Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Northwest Arkansas Regional.

It’ll wave the usual change fee to let travelers move their travel date to another day, through next Tuesday.

Looking at FlightStats.com, it appears American and American Eagle’s cancellations start to get serious around mid-evening Thursday, with a lot of cancellations Friday morning as well.

Travelers at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. (The Dallas Morning News/Tom Fox)

The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport expects 2.1 million travelers this week for the Thanksgiving holiday, up 2.6 percent from last year.

This year is the airport’s busiest travel year since 2006, with total passengers topping 60 million.

Airport officials recommend that travelers leave early this week to allow plenty of time for unexpected traffic or other delays. On the weekend after Thanksgiving, travelers should arrive at the airport 2.5 hours early.

To encourage travelers to arrive early, the airport is offering some incentives:

* People who buy a gift at a participating airport concessionaire through Dec. 24 will receive free shipping.

* Travelers in Terminal D also can receive free gift wrapping on purchases of $50 or more through Dec. 24. The free gift-wrapping kiosk is near gate D24 and is open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

* Travelers can earn airline miles on airport purchases through the airport’s new customer rewards program called Thanks Again.

* People can download the airport’s new app to their smartphones to get the latest information and updates about flights, parking, shops, restaurants and airport services. It’s free for Apple, Android and Blackberry devices.

* The airport offers some new services, including Minute Suites’ nap rooms and the American Express Centurion Lounge, both in Terminal D. There are many new restaurants and shops in the renovated section of Terminal A, between gates A8 and A16.

In Terminal E, passengers will find a new security checkpoint at gate E18 that includes wait times displayed on monitors and audio messages to help guide travelers through the screening process. The larger area also will display art on the walls, ambient music and lounge seating where passengers can collect their belongings post-screening.

Veteran Dallas Morning News reporter Ed Timms had the good fortune of spending a little time in Paris this month. He had the misfortune of encountering the long lines of people waiting to clear passport control at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport when he returned on Monday afternoon and had to go through the Customs and Border Protection checks.

Above is the video he shot of the trek to the end of the line. Below is his story.

Arriving international passengers at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport late Monday afternoon could have flown to New York in the same time it took them to get their passports checked and collect their bags.

Passengers stood in line three hours or more to get through the first check at passport control. U.S. passengers had to stand in line well over an hour in hallways before they even reached the maze of canvas straps and posts in the main room. The elderly, passengers with canes and couples with infants or small children endured the ordeal with the rest.

The time from landing to exiting the baggage area was more than four hours for many passengers.

Between two and four booths staffed by customs and immigration officers were open at any given time. Briefly, only one booth was open.

Many dozens of passengers complained of missing their flights while standing in line and apparently had little recourse.

“This can’t be right,” one international passenger gasped after she’d walked past the main area and saw the line in the hallways that appeared to be longer than at least one football field.

Another swore she’d go through another airport the next time she returned from an overseas trip.

Ed told me that the mounds of bags waiting after people trickled out of the passport clearance area reminded him of the warehouse scene at the end of “Raiders of the Lost Ark.”

In an email, Airlines for America spokeswoman Katie Connell said the “average daily peak wait time at U.S. Customs for airline passengers at DFW was 67 minutes” as of May. That would have been a blessing Monday.

However, that 67 minutes “is not only a 41 percent increase, but also one of the worst waits in the country,” Connell added, citing the Customs and Border Protection’s data as “compiled and recently released by the Global Gateway Alliance.”

Citing the long and growing waits to get through international entry points in the United States, A4A and other groups are opposing U.S. plans to open a preclearance center in Abu Dhabi for travelers headed to the United States.

“Airline passengers lose millions of hours each day waiting in exceedingly long and unacceptable Customs lines,” she wrote. “Travelers should not be greeted by a frustrating, inefficient process upon entering major U.S. gateway airports like Dallas/Fort Worth.”

In the airport’s announcement, it said that Fegan will remain at his post until Sept. 1 or until the airport’s board of directors finds his successor.

Fegan, the airport’s longest tenured CEO, began work at the airport 28 years ago and took over as CEO in 1994 at age 39.

Here’s what Fegan had to say in the announcement:

“The strategy is in place, the course set, and momentum is strong to achieve results which will carry DFW Airport into the future. DFW is cost competitive and financially strong. The next five years and beyond will be even more exciting for DFW and the region. This seems to be the right time to pass the baton to the next generation of leadership.

“The last 28 years have been extraordinary and my career at DFW has been incredibly rewarding. I am very proud to have served DFW for nearly three decades and now am ready to pursue other career and personal interests. My heartfelt thanks go to the Board of Directors, everyone in the DFW Airport organization, and all other partners for their support throughout the years. It’s been an honor and privilege to serve such a dynamic, professional, and high impact organization.”

And we have comments from the mayors of Dallas and Fort Worth. First, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings:

“Under Jeff’s leadership, the strategy and plans are in place that will take us through the next five years. Following the best two years in DFW Airport’s history, it seems a great time for Jeff to choose this time to help DFW transition to the next leader.

“DFW has gained from Jeff’s broad expertise on many fronts. He is a steadfast champion of diversity and inclusion, and has truly advanced DFW Airport as the economic engine of the region. Over the last two years in particular, he has successfully expanded international service, bringing new international air carriers to DFW with routes to Australia with Qantas and to the Middle East with Emirates – each bringing year-over-year economic impact of over $220 million to the citizens of Dallas, Fort Worth and the region.

“DFW Airport will miss Jeff, but he has put in place a strong and capable leadership team regarded as the best in the airport industry.”

And now, Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price:

“We congratulate Jeff Fegan on a remarkable career at DFW Airport. As the largest hub for American Airlines, DFW Airport increased international destinations from 24 in 1994 to 50 today, increased domestic destinations from 113 to 148, and we now have more than 50 international air cargo departures each week to 16 cargo hubs worldwide. DFW Airport served 58 million passengers last year alone as the gateway to North Texas.

“Add this tremendous growth to DFW Airport’s consistent rating among the top five airports in the world for customer service, and the result of Jeff’s leadership is unmistakable. Jeff has enjoyed a long and distinguished run at the Airport, and he has led a management team that achieved worldwide acclaim for Fort Worth, Dallas and all of the communities of North Texas.

“We’ll miss Jeff, but wish him the very best in his retirement.”

Airport board chairman Robert Hsueh will head an ad hoc group to put together the process for recruiting Fegan’s replacement.